The winner of the bid would have to take over the stand for five years, he said, and provide their own equipment.

"Anyone who would want to operate this kind of business usually has some kind of experience in the food industry," he said.

Kaplanis added that when he first took over as director of the department about three years ago, the concession stand at the park had been empty for about three years.

"One of my first priorities was to get it back up and running," he said.

At the time, Debbie Negri was awarded a three-year contract for concession sales at the park.

While Negri said it can be a difficult business that requires lots of hours, the operation for her is more a labor of love. Her parents had operated the stand for more than a decade before it was taken over by another entrepreneur, who shut the stand down after only a year.

"It can be a lot of work preparing for what you hope will be a great weekend, and then it rains," she said. "That can be very disappointing."

Negri ran a harvest festival at the park last month that attracted more than 1,800 visitors. She said the event raised about $1,500 for local charities, including the American Red Cross and the Danbury Women's Center.

Negri added that while she is strongly considering submitting another application during this month's biding process, she would also like to see the city take better care of the park.

"It's one of the best assets Danbury has and it deserves a little attention," she said.

Kaplanis said the park attracts large crowds during the Fourth of July fireworks display and about 10,000 visitors annually.

Applications for those interesting in leasing the concession stand must be submitted to the city's purchasing department by Thursday.